Intergovernmental Regional Organisations in the Pacific  

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community has prepared this leaflet to help in understanding SPC's place amongst the intergovernmental regional organisations (IGOs) in the Pacific. The "CROP* organisations", as they are sometimes known, are difficult to characterise briefly because they cover so many different fields and have different modes of operation. Perhaps the most appropriate analogy is with the United Nations family of organisations, but on a more limited geographic scale, and without a formal peacekeeping role or supra-national authority. Although it is normal to describe organisations in terms of their functions, it is probably easiest to distinguish between the individual Pacific regional IGOs in terms of their clients. We will briefly describe the family as a whole here, and provide more detail on each individual organisation on the following pages.

*CROP is not a spelling mistake, but stands for the "Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific". It used to be known as the South Pacific Organisations Coordinating Committee (SPOCC) CROP itself is not a policy decision-making council (that role is reserved for member governments acting collectively within the governing council of each organisation) - but is a mechanism for harmonising actions on managerial and administrative questions. CROP also provides a framework for discussing inter-agency collaboration in broad areas where several organisations have common interests, such as the Pacific Ocean, or Energy

The Organisations

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) was founded in 1972 as the South Pacific Economic Cooperation Bureau. PIFS, or "Forsec" as it is usually known to the other agencies, is generally recognised as the head of the Pacific IGO family. It is the permanent chair of CROP* and its governing council sits at the Prime Ministerial or Premier level. The PIFS work programme covers economic policy and trade, and its national contact points are with Prime Minister's Offices, Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) was founded in 1947 as the South Pacific Commission. SPC is the oldest and most broad-ranging regional organisation, in terms of both membership and sectoral focus, and might be considered the "mother" of the regional IGO family (in fact SPC has figuratively given birth to several other regional organisations including, most recently, the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme - see below). SPC's highest governing council contains, but is not restricted to, Foreign Affairs Ministers. The SPC work programme includes aspects of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, health, statistics, ... SPC's national and territorial contact points are with departments of health, agriculture, women & youth, forestry, fisheries, statistics, ports & maritime etc ...,

The South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) was founded in 1972 as CCOP/SOPAC and was originally a UNDP/ESCAP-funded programme to help promote offshore prospecting. It became an independent intergovernmental organisation in 1984. SOPAC has now branched out into physical environment issues in general but maintains a particular strength in marine mapping, geoscience and oceanography. SOPAC's governing council and national focal points rest largely with Mineral and Marine Resources Departments.

The South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) was founded in 1979 to help the independent countries of the region to manage their new sovereign rights over the offshore fisheries resources that fall within the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones that were declared in the wake of the Conferences on the International Law of the Sea. FFA's mandate covers all aspects of fisheries but is focussed on the management of tuna fisheries - which provide a realistic prospect for contributing in a major way towards future economic self-sufficiency for small-island countries. FFA's sectoral focus is on the cooperative management of tuna fisheries and its national contact points are with departments of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was established in 1982 within SPC in Noumea and moved to Samoa in 1991. Legally independent in 1995, SPREP works with its members, NGOs, intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), regional and international development partners, local communities and the private sector, to strengthen the capacity of Pacific Island members to plan and manage their own national environmental programmes and to enhance regional cooperation to deal more effectively with issues that are transboundary in nature or which require interventions at the global level. SPREP focal points are mainly Departments of Environment or equivalent and Foreign Affairs.

The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a regional university, established in 1968 as a pioneering, regional response to the Pacific's need to provide higher education and training for its people. It is jointly owned by the governments of 12 Pacific Island Countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. USP covers a wide sectoral subject matter with cross-cutting focus on education.  The focal points lie with Departments of Education of governing countries.

The South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) started off life as tourist trade promotion agency known as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific. Under a new policy directive, SPTO plays an important role in both the social and economic development of the Pacific region, through its support of the tourism industry. The SPTO governing body is comprised of a Council of Ministers, Board of Directors made up of 13 NTO representatives and 6 members representing private sector, and Management. Its focal points are with national ministries & national tourism promotion offices.

The Pacific Islands Development Programme (PIDP) of the East-West Center is a is a think- tank for the region, and arose from the first Pacific Islands Conference in 1980: a forum where island leaders could discuss critical issues of development with a wide spectrum of interested countries, donors, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. PIDP operates a number of broad-ranging research and education activities concerned with enhancing the quality of life in the Pacific Islands, and is governed at the Prime Ministerial level.

The Fiji School of Medicine (FSM) traces its origins from being known as the Suva Medical School (1885 to 1928), Central Medical School (1929 - 1960) and now FSM since 1961. The FSM now provides training in the health science disciplines including dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography, laboratory technology, dietetics and environmental health. FSM has been autonomous since 1998.

The South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment (SPBEA) was established in 1980 to deliver assessment and examination services to member countries. The core function of SPBEA is to train personnel in the development and use of assessment.

More detail on the agencies

Forum Secretariat Base: Suva (Fiji) Membership: Australia, Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Solomon Islands;  Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu Founding Document: Agreement establishing the Forum Secretariat, 1991 Address: (Ratu Sukuna Road) Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji. Fax: +679 330 5573   Tel: +679 331 2600  email: info@forumsec.org.fj Website: http://www.forumsec.org.fj Principal Officers: Secretary-General: Noel Levi (PNG); Deputy Sec-Gen: Iosefa Maiava (Samoa) Mission Statement: "To work in support of Forum Member governments to enhance the economic and social well-being of the people of the South Pacific by fostering cooperation between governments and between international agencies, and by representing the interests of Forum members in ways agreed by the Forum." The Pacific Islands Forum Vision statement encompasses all of the region and its organisations. Work program structure:  Development and Economic Policy Division Political and International Affairs Division Trade and Investment Division Corporate Services Division Staff complement: Total: 80 (Professional: 42 Support:38) Budget: Total: ~US$ 4,578,300 (F$10,174,000 in 2001): Including: Assessed Contributions by members, US$1,562,400; (F$3,472,000); Special Projects US$2,835,000. (F$ 6,300,000 in 2001); other income US$180,900 (F$402,000 in 2001)

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Base: Noumea (New Caledonia) and Suva (Fiji) Founding Document: Canberra Agreement (1947) Membership: American Samoa; Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; France; Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Northern Marianas; Nouvelle Caledonie; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie & Oeno; Polynésie Française; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; United States of America; Vanuatu; Wallis et Futuna Observers: Easter Island (Rapanui) Ex-members: Netherlands (withdrew 1966) Address: spc@spc.int Noumea headquarters:  Boite Postale D5,  98848 Noumea Cedex,  New Caledonia.  Fax: +687 263 818   Tel: +687 262 000  email: spc@spc.int Suva headquarters Private Mail Bag Suva Fax: +679 337 0021   Tel: +679 337 0733   Website: http://www.spc.int Principal Officers: Director-General: Lourdes Pangelinan (Guam); Senior Deputy Director-General: Jimmie Rodgers (Solomon Islands); Deputy Director-General: Yves Corbel (France) Mission Statement: "To develop the technical, professional, scientific, research, planning and management capability of Pacific Island people to enable them to make informed decisions about their future development and well-being". Main work programmes:  SPC Programme Support:  Executive Management Corporate Services Division Information and Communications Programme Regional work programmes: Social Resources Division: Programmes: Public Health; Population & Demography; Statistics; Cultural Affairs; Renewable Energy; Regional Media Centre; Pacific Women's Resource Bureau; Pacific Youth Resource Bureau Land Resources Division: Programmes: Agriculture; Forestry Marine Resources Division: Programmes: Oceanic Fisheries; Maritime; Coastal Fisheries Staff complement: Total: 222 (Professional: 121; Support: 101)  Budget: Total US$ 18,950,000 (2002); Assessed Contributions by members, US$ 6,020,000; Special Projects US$ 12,930,000

South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission  (SOPAC) Base: Suva (Fiji) Founding Document: Agreement establishing SOPAC, 1990 Membership: Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu Associate Members: Nouvelle Caledonie; Polynésie Française. Address: Private Mail Bag, GPO Suva. Fax: +679 337 0040   Tel: +679 338 1377  email: director@sopac.org Website: http://www.sopac.org.fj Principal Officers: Director: Alf Simpson (Fiji); Deputy Director: Russell Howorth (UK); Programme Managers: Cristelle Pratt (Oceans & Islands), Alan Mearns (Community Risk), Paul Fairbairn (Community Lifelines).  Mission Statement: "To improve the well being of the peoples of Pacific Island member countries through the application of geoscience to the management and sustainable development of their non-living resources" Main work programs:  Oceans and Islands Community Risk Community Lifelines Staff complement: Total: 28 professional Budget: Total: US$4,425,000 (2001)

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Base: Honiara (Solomon Islands) Founding Document: South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention (1979) Membership: Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Papua New Guinea; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu Observers: Nouvelle Caledonie; Polynésie Française. Address: PO BOX 679, Honiara, Solomon Islands Fax: +677 23 995  Tel: +677 21 124  email: info@ffa.int Website: http://www.ffa.int Principal Officers: Director: Feleti Teo (Tuvalu); Deputy Director: Barry Pollock (Australia)  Mission Statement: "To enable Member Countries to manage, conserve and use the tuna resources in their Exclusive Economic Zones and beyond, through enhancing national capacity and strengthening regional solidarity" (FFA Corporate Plan 2002-2005) Organisational Structure: Executive  Corporate Services  Economics and Marketing [Objective: To assist member countries to formulate policies and identify projects for the sustained use of their tuna resources]. Legal Services [Objective: To strengthen member countries’ understanding of their [fishery-related] legal responsibilities and rights and their ability to fulfil their responsibilities and to take advantage of their rights] Monitoring Control & Surveillance [Objective: Reinforce member countries’ capacity to achieve compliance by fishing operators with national regulations and regional arrangement licence conditions] Information Technology and Communications Treaties Administration (subject to financial approval at the US Treaty Meeting March 2002) Staff complement: Total: 23 professional Budget: Total: US$5,750,000 (2000); Including: Assessed Contributions by members, US$798,902; Special Projects (trust fund) US$2,252,000 (2001). Governance: The South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency consists of the Forum Fisheries Committee (FFC - composed of member country representatives) and the Secretariat (FFA - composed of officials appointed by the Director). FFC, the Governing Council, meets annually to discuss and approve an annual work-plan and budget within the framework of a Corporate Plan that is revised from time to time by agreement between member countries. Special FFCs meet intersessionally to make collective decisions about the management of regional tuna fisheries, and are supported by advice from FFA working groups in different subject areas, and by SPC's scientific fisheries programmes.

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Base: Apia (Samoa) Founding document: Agreement Establishing SPREP, 1993 Membership: American Samoa; Australia; Cook Islands; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; France; Guam; Kiribati; Marshall Islands; Nauru; New Zealand; Niue; Northern Marianas; Nouvelle Caledonie; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Polynésie Française; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United States of America; Vanuatu; Wallis et Futuna Address: PO Box 240, Vailima, Apia, Samoa. Fax: +685 20 231   Tel: +685  21 929  email: sprep@sprep.org.ws Website: http://www.sprep.org.ws Principal Officers: Director: Asterio Takesy (FSM) Mission Statement: "To promote cooperation in the South Pacific region and to provide assistance in order to protect and improve its environment and to ensure sustainable development for present and future generations" Organisational Structure:  Conservation of Natural Resources Division Environmental Management and Planning Division Environmental Education, Information and Coordination Division Finance and Administration Division Staff complement: Total: 60 (Professional: 28; Support: 32) Budget: Total: US$; 10,732,912 (1999); Including: Assessed (voluntary) Contributions by members, US$560,000; Special Projects: US$9,648,912; Other: US$524,000. Governance: The biennial SPREP Conference, attended by Heads of Environment and Foreign Affairs, is the governing council for the secretariat. The SPREP Action Plan guides not only the work of the SPREP secretariat, but also SPREP member countries (both governmental members and secretariat implement the plan, in a similar manner to the sharing of responsibilities between the member countries and secretariat that jointly make up the Forum Fisheries Agency)

The University of the South Pacific (USP) Base: Suva (Fiji) Founding: Established in 1968, USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting high calibre students and staff from throughout the Pacific Region and internationally. Membership: Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Address: PO Box 1168, Suva Fax: +679 330 1305  Tel: +679 331 3900  email: webmaster@usp.ac.fj Website: http://www.usp.ac.fj Principal Officers: Vice Chancellor: Savenaca Siwatibau (Fiji) Deputy Vice Chancellor: Rajesh Chandra (Fiji). Mission Statement: "The objects of the University shall be the maintenance, advancement and dissemination of knowledge by teaching, consultancy and research and otherwise, and the provision at appropriate levels of education and training responsive to the well-being and needs of the communities of the South Pacific." Staff complement: Total: 1111.

South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Base: Suva (Fiji) Founding Body: Informal association of national tourism organisations in the South Pacific formed themselves into the Tourism Council of the South Pacific with the support of the European Union  in the form of a series of assisted programmes. The council soon became a regional intergovernmental organisation.  Membership: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Address: PO Box 13119, Suva Fax: +679 330 1995  Tel: +679 330 4177 email: info@spto.org Website: http://www.spto.org Principal Officers: Chief Executive: Lisiate 'Akolo  Fundamental Objective: To foster regional cooperation in the development and promotion of tourism to and within the island nations of the South Pacific. Organisational Structure:  Board members comprise executive officers from tourism bureaus, ministries and the private sector of member states. Staff complement: Total: 9.

Pacific Islands Development Programme (PIDP) Base: Honolulu (Hawaii) Founding document: 1980 Membership: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawai‘i, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Address: PIDP, East West Centre, 1601 East-West Rd, Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601, USA. Fax: +808 944 7670   Tel: +808 944 7778  email: pidp@EastWestCenter.org Website: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/pidp-ab.asp Principal Officers: Director: Sitiveni Halapua (Tonga) PIDP Mission: The PIDP conducts a broad range of activities to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific Islands. PIDPs role as a regional organisation includes: Secretariat of the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders; United States/Pacific Island Nations joint commercial commission secretariat; research; education and training; and Pacific Islands News.  Organisational Structure: PIDP's work is organised into several programmes as follows: Pacific Islands Conference Secretariat Research Education Joint USA/PI Commercial Commission Pacific Islands News Staff complement: Total: 9. Degree Fellows: 12 Governance: The triennial Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders debates broad issues of regional significance and provides guidance not only to the PIDP work-programme but to regional work in general. The PIDP Standing Committee meets every year to prioritise PIDP activities and to discuss issues arising, of concern to Pacific islands.

Fiji School of Medicine (FSM) Base: Suva (Fiji) Operational Philosophy: Appropriate training to produce a health worker who can provide the necessary services to cope with the perceived needs of the community. Address: Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji Fax: +679 330 3469  Tel: +679 331 1700  email: webmaster@fsm.ac.fj Website: http://www.fsm.ac.fj Principal Officers: Dean of School: Wame Baravilala (Fiji) Mission Statement: "A commitment to excellence in training and education of health professionals."

South Pacific Board of Educational Assessment (SPBEA) Base: Suva (Fiji) Founding document: "Agreement to establish the South Pacific Board for Educational Assessment" after directors of education from Pacific Island countries raised concerns over the influence that examinations from metropolitan countries, especially New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, were having on the education system of most Pacific Island countries.  Membership: Cook Islands, Fiji Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu Address: PO Box 2083, Govt Bldgs, Suva Fax: +679 330 2898  Tel: +679 331 5600 or 330 2141  email: spbea@spbea.org.fj Website: http://www.spbea.org.fj Principal Officers: Director: Visesio Pongi  Mission Statement: SPBEA is committed to helping member countries realise their short-term as well as their long-term strategic goals. It intends to achieve this by putting in place strategies that would; Ensure consistent and timely delivery of quality service to all member countries. Promote self-reliance among member countries in the area of educational assessment Encourage member countries to keep abreast with the current developments in the area of educational assessment Staff complement: Total: 13.

Other links to information about Pacific Island regional intergovernmental organisations: Australia's Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs (DFAT) New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)